All political groups in the Lithuanian parliament, Seimas, support increasing the country’s defence budget as early as this year, Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte has said following meetings with the groups’ leaders to discuss ways to bolster national security amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “I would like to express my delight and pride there’s no disagreement…
As Lithuanian companies are severing ties with Russia, out of solidarity with Ukraine or for pragmatic considerations, the effects will be felt by some sectors more than by others. A slew of international brands have announced they are stopping business in Russia following Pootin’s invasion of Ukraine. Sweden’s Ikea and H&M, Apple, Denmark’s Maersk, Germany’s…
Gun buyers have been flocking Lithuania’s stores since the start of the war in Ukraine, with sales increasing up to eight times and applications for gun licenses doubling. Sales have shot up for all categories of weapons, but the largest demand is for handguns used for self-defense and semi-automatic weapons that could also be used…
The European Union vows to launch an assistance measure for Lithuanian businesses affected by China’s economic sanctions, European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton has said while on a visit in Vilnius. “We believe that what China is doing is not compatible with the WTO rules. But beyond this, we are also yet to use…
Lithuania has stopped imports of small cargoes of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) via the port of Klaipeda. The decision came into effect on March 3, according to Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys. “Any imports of Russian gas via the LNG terminal have been stopped – there are no more small cargoes,” he said during a…
Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine and the closure of airspace to Russian aircraft have already affected Lithuania’s tourism sectors, its representatives have said. “Reservations are being cancelled, especially from distant countries, as well as from so-called old Europe. Practically, the May trips to our region have been cancelled,” Zydre Gaveliene, head of the National Association…
A ban for Russian and Russia-linked ships to enter seaports is being coordinated with other Baltic Sea countries and the European Union, Lithuanian Transport Minister Marius Skuodis has said. “I’ve talked about that with my Polish colleague. The issue is being coordinated with Latvia, and decisions are being worked out at the level of the…